BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to the field of containing and carrying documents and objects. In particular, it discloses a document retention device that includes an integral pillow box. The pillow box may be used for carrying and retaining objects, such as a flash drive.
Document retention devices or products are a well known method for transporting, containing and presenting printed materials. With the advancement of digital technologies, information is now also stored on portable media, such as CDs, DVDs and flash drives. Before the present application, there was not provided an easy method for retaining flash drives or similar size objects within a document retention device. The present application provides an integral pillow box to retain flash drives, or other similar size objects. The document retention device may also comprise at least one pocket for retaining pertinent materials or documents on paper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary document retention device in accordance with the present application;
FIG. 2 is a close up view of the integral pillow box of the exemplary document retention device of the present invention, wherein the upper and lower flaps of the pillow box are open;
FIG. 3 is a top view of an exemplary document retention device in accordance with the present application demonstrating the integral pillow box in an assembled, expanded position;
FIG. 4 is a top view of an exemplary document retention device in accordance with the present application showing the pillow box with open flaps;
FIG. 5 is a die line drawing of an exemplary document retention device in accordance with the present application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring initially to FIG. 1, an exemplary document retention device, here a folder 2, is depicted in an open position. One of skill in the art will recognize that the document retention device in the present application may include, but is not limited to the following: standard folders, reinforced folders, tab folders, capacity folders, legal folders, mini-folders, tri-panel folders, file folders, sculptured pocket folders, report covers, paper wallets, document folders, portfolios, 3-ring binders, 3-ring binders with tabs, 3-ring binders with page pockets, software boxes, tote boxes, donut type boxes, hotel key folders, door hangers, CD and DVD holders, photograph holders and photograph retention devices.
In the exemplary embodiment, folder 2 comprises a left cover 4 and a right cover 6 separated by a folding spine 8. The folder 2 opens and closes along folding spine 8. The spine may comprise one or more score lines. For example FIG. 5 demonstrates a spine 8 with three score lines 8a, 8b and 8c. The number of score lines may be increased or decreased depending on the desired capacity of the folder.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the folder 2 of the present application also includes at least one pocket 10 for holding and retaining documents. The folder further comprises at least one pillow box 12. In one embodiment, the pillow box 12 is integral to the pocket 10. In another embodiment, the pillow box 12 is integral to either the left cover 4 or the right cover 6. The pillow box 12 may also be integral to other parts of the folder 2. The number of pockets and pillow boxes that may be used is limited only by the available space on and in the folder 2.
The pillow box 12 includes a main pillow box body 14. The main pillow box body 14 includes a first portion 16 and a second portion 18 separated by a center score line 34. The pillow box 12 also includes two sets of flaps 20, 22 and 24, 26. Flaps 20 and 22 comprise first and second bottom flaps, while flaps 24 and 26 comprise first and second top flaps. In one embodiment, at least one of the bottom flaps and at least one of the top flaps includes a cut out 28, 28′ for ease in opening and closing the flaps to allow access to the interior of the pillow box 12.
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, when the bottom and top flaps of the pillow box 12 are open, the pillow box may be flattened such that when the folder is closed along folding spine 8, the folder remains relatively flat. As shown in FIG. 3, when one set of either the top or bottom flaps are closed, the pillow box is expanded, providing a hollow interior. The hollow interior of the pillow box 12 may be used to house a flash drive or other similarly sized objects.
Referring now to FIG. 5, therein is shown the die line for constructing one embodiment of a document retention device in accordance with the present application. Again, the exemplary embodiment is a folder 2. FIG. 5 demonstrates left cover 4 and right cover 6 as seen from the outside when folded along folding spine 8. Pocket 10 and pillow box 12 will be folded upwardly into the interior of right cover 6 when constructed, in one embodiment, to provide the features of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the folder 2 includes pocket sealing tab 32 for retaining the pocket 10 in place on the interior surface of right cover 6. Pillow box 12 also includes a sealing tab 30 for securing the terminal end of the second portion of the pillow box body 18 to an interior portion of pocket 10. Alternatively, the pillow box may be secured by affixing sealing tab 30 to an interior portion of the first portion of the pillow box body 16. When the sealing tab 30 is secured, the center score 34 will define an outer edge of the pillow box 12.
As mentioned, pillow box 12 may retain a flash drive (often otherwise referred to as a jump drive or USB drive). However, the pillow box 12 may be used to retain other things that one may desire to keep in a folder, such as promotional items, writing utensils or other items. Additionally, the dimensions shown in FIG. 5 are not limiting. The folder shown in the figures is an exemplary document retention device, and a document retention device in accordance with the present application may be of any size. For example, the dimensions shown in the figures are to accommodate conventional U.S. sized papers. However, European size A4 paper or other sizes of paper may be used and the dimensions of the document retention device may be adjusted accordingly. As a further example, the number of covers or panels may be increased to include three or more covers or panels as is known in the industry. As additional examples, the document retention device in accordance with the present application may retain documents in an electronic format such as CDs, DVDs, or other software. Thus, the document retention devices contemplated as being within the scope of the present application include CD holders, DVD holders and software boxes. Moreover, document retention devices in accordance with the present application may be mass storage units such as boxes, and therefore include, but are not limited to software boxes, tote boxes, donut type boxes or other types of boxes well known in the industry.
Likewise, the dimensions of the pillow box 12 may be adjusted and modified to fit the particular needs of the user. For example, the pillow box may be extended lengthwise to retain writing utensils or other objects having a longer length. Additionally, the pillow box may be increased in width to hold larger items. Also, the pillow box may be attached with perforations to the document retention device for easy removal. Perforated, removable pillow boxes are advantageous when used with smaller document retention devices such as hotel key folders, mini-folders, paper wallets, door hangers and photo holders. However, the size of the document retention device does not dictate whether a perforation may be used or not. As a further example, a door hanger, which is a die-cut card that retains document information (e.g. a “do not disturb” door hanger) may include a pillow box attached by perforations on the bottom or sides of the hanger.
While there have been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the present application, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications that fall within the true scope of the present application.
Patent Application
20100078342
